Personal Electronic Device Carrier

ABSTRACT

A personal electronic device carrier having a pocket portion that includes a front layer and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion; retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier; strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object; and jewelry attachment means for attachment of personal effects to said carrier.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of the filingdate of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/791,044 filedApr. 10, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to a personal electronic devicecarrier or holder. More specifically, this application relates to aphone device or personal audio device carrier that allows the device tobe carried in novel ways in a holder that allows for personalization bya user.

SUMMARY

This application discloses a personal electronic device carrier that iseconomical to produce, of simple construction and capable of massproduction, but also capable of providing a user a suitable means tocarry and operate a personal electronic device in a personalizeablecarrier. As user herein, personal electronic device includes a phone,such as a cell phone, of either the “clamshell” or “candy bar” design, apersonal audio player such as an mp3 player, personal digital assistant,or any other personal electronic device that would benefit from the usewith the carrier described herein.

In particular, this application discloses a personal electronic devicecarrier comprising: a pocket portion that includes a front layer and aback layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together abouttheir edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted intosaid pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexibletransparent material so as to allow operation of said device whenpositioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a looplayer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attachedtogether so at to create a looped portion; retaining means fixedlyattached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said devicein said carrier; strap means attachable to said carrier for securingsaid carrier to an object; and jewelry attachment means for attachmentof personal effects to said carrier.

Further, this application discloses a personalizeable personalelectronic device carrier comprising: a pocket portion that includes afront layer and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers areattached together about their edges so as to allow said device to beremoveably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layeris made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation ofsaid device when positioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layerincludes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and looplayer are attached together so at to create a looped portion; retainingmeans fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachablyretaining said device in said carrier; strap means attachable to saidcarrier for securing said carrier to an object; and at least one jewelryattachment region located about the periphery of said pocket portion forattachment of personal effects to said carrier such that said carriercan be personalized by a user.

The application also discloses a personalizeable personal electronicdevice carrier comprising: a pocket portion that includes a front layerwherein the first layer includes portion with perforations fortransmission of auditory signals there through and a back layer whereina portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so asto allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion,wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material soas to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket,wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of saidback layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a loopedportion, and wherein said loop layer further comprises a storageportion; retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion fordetachably retaining said device in said carrier wherein the retainingmeans includes a hook and loop assembly such that one portion of saidhook and loop assembly is attached to said back layer within said pocketportion and one portion is attached to a portion the device to beretained such that when the hook and loop assembly is engaged, thedevice is detachably retained in said pocket portion; strap meansattachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an objectwherein the strap means is a strap that is threaded through said loopedportion, and wherein said strap further comprises adjustment means suchthat the strap can be sized to fit the object the carrier is to besecured to; and at least one jewelry attachment region located about theperiphery of said pocket portion for attachment of personal effects tosaid carrier such that said carrier can be personalized by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the followingdescription, are presented for the purpose of facilitating anunderstanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a the personal electronic device carrierdescribed herein;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the carrier in FIG. 1 with the frontlayer removed;

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the carrier in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a front plan view of a body strap usable with the device inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4C is a front plan view of a bracelet strap usable with the devicein FIG. 1;

FIG. 4D is a front plan view of a necklace strap usable with the devicein FIG. 1;

FIG. 4E is a front plan view of a belt loop and purse strap usable withthe device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a hook fastener clip;

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of hook tape;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the carrier in FIG.1 shown with a body strap and hook fastener clip;

FIG. 7 is front plan view of the rear portion of a clamshell type phonewith the hook tape shown before insertion into the carrier;

FIGS. 8A-8E shows the carrier of FIG. 1 attached to various bodyportions;

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 shown with variouspersonal effects attached thereto; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1 shown during theoperation of a clamshell phone retained therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, shown therein and generally designated by thereference character 10 is the personal electronic device carrier 10constructed in accordance with the following description. The carrier 10comprises a pocket portion 11 that includes a front layer 12, whereinthe front layer 12 includes a portion 13 with perforations 14 fortransmission of auditory signals there through when a personalelectronic device such as a phone is inserted into the pocket portion11, and a back layer 15 wherein a portion of the layers are attachedtogether about their edges 16 so as to allow a personal electronicdevice to be removeably inserted into the pocket portion 11. The front12 and back 15 layers are attached about a portion of their edges bymeans common in the art, and may include, adhesive, sewing, or any otherlike means know or to be discovered.

The front layer 12 is made of a flexible transparent material,preferably PVC, so as to allow operation of said device when positionedin said pocket, however, any like material could be used. For example,when a phone is inserted, the user can still operate the buttons throughthe transparent and flexible front layer 12 and speak through theperforations 14 which allow the auditory signals to pass through. SeeFIG. 10 for an example of a clamshell style phone 40 is shown insertedinto the carrier 10. The clamshell phone generally comprises a first 41(the display) and second region 42 (the keypad) and only the secondregion 42 is inserted into the pocket portion 11. When the phone 40 isclosed, the first region 41 comes in contact with the front layer 12. Itshould be appreciated that a candy bar styled phone would also befunctional when placed in the carrier 10 in the same way.

Referring to FIG. 3 and 6, the back layer 15 includes a loop layer 16wherein a portion of the back layer 15 and loop layer 16 are attachedtogether at the upper 17 and lower regions 18 so at to create a loopedportion 19. In further embodiments, the loop layer 16 may include astorage portion 20 such as a small pocket for storing personal itemssuch as money. The looped portion allows for a strap means such as abody strap 30 to thread between the back layer 15 and the loop layer 16so that the carrier 10 can be attached to a variety of objects such asan exercise device, a body part of the user, or any location desired bythe user. See FIGS. 8B-8E, for various examples of where the carrier canbe secured with the body strap 30, which include the arm, wrist, leg,and ankle. Preferably the body strap 30 utilizes a hook and loopassembly such as Velcro™ to secure the carrier 10 to an object. Suchhook and loop assemblies are well known in the art, but to brieflydescribe how the assembly is utilized in the present example, the outerlayer of the strap 30 has the loop portion and the hook portion resideson a clip portion 31 at one end 32 of the strap. A D-ring 33 is locatedat the opposite end 34 of the strap 30. In a further embodiment, thestrap is customizable to the given user and to the particular locationthat user wants to attach the carrier to. This is accomplished since theclip portion 31 is fixedly detachable to the strap 30, such that a usercan remove the clip 31 by opening it, trim off the desired amount ofstrap, and reattach the clip 31 by closing it upon the end 32 of thestrap 30. See FIG. SA for an example of the clip portion 31 shown in itsopen state and FIG. 4B for the strap 30 and D-ring 33. Additional strapmeans include the utilization of an eyelet 21 located on the back layer15 of the carrier. The eyelet 21 allows for the attachment of variousstrap means, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 4C-4E, and include abracelet strap 22, necklace strap 23, and a belt loop and purse strap 24respectively. See FIG. 8A for an example of the necklace strap 23attached to the carrier 10 at the eyelet 21 and worn by a user Theeyelet 21 is preferably made of a durable material such as metal.

Referring now FIGS. 2 and 7, the carrier 10 includes retaining meansfixedly attached within said pocket portion 11 for detachably retainingthe personal electronic device in the carrier 10. The retaining meanspreferably is a hook and loop assembly such that one portion 25 of saidhook and loop assembly is attached to said back layer 15 within saidpocket portion 11 and one portion 26 is attached to a portion on thedevice to be retained, such that when the hook and loop assembly isengaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocket portion 11.Preferably the portion 25 attached to the back layer 15 is sewn on;however, an adhesive or similar means would also work. And preferably,the portion 25 attached to the back layer would be the loop portion. Forthe hook portion 26 attached to the device, an adhesive is the preferredmeans of attachment which is accomplished by hook tape as shown by wayof example in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 9, the carrier 10 may include at least onejewelry attachment region located about the periphery 29 of said pocketportion 11 for attachment of personal effects 44 (such as jewelry) tothe carrier 10 so that the carrier can be personalized by a user. Suchjewelry attachment means allow the carrier to be personalized by theuser and such means generally come in two types. The first type isattachment loops 27 attached to the back layer 15 of the carrier 10. Thesecond type includes holes 28 in the corners of the front layer 12. Theattachment means on the carrier 10 allows for the user to attachpersonal effects 44 that include hooks, clasps, or any other similarengagement device to the carrier by engaging the attachment loops 27 orthe holes 28. The holes 28 in the front layer 12 may also be utilizedfor attaching various accessories to the personal electronic device suchas head phones, chargers, or any other desired accessory.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1. A personal electronic device carrier comprising: a pocket portionthat includes a front layer and a back layer wherein a portion of saidlayers are attached together about their edges so as to allow saiddevice to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein saidfront layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allowoperation of said device when positioned in said pocket, and whereinsaid back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said backlayer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a loopedportion; retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion fordetachably retaining said device in said carrier; strap means attachableto said carrier for securing said carrier to an object; and jewelryattachment means for attachment of personal effects to said carrier. 2.The carrier of claim 1 wherein the strap means is a strap that isthreaded through said looped portion.
 3. The carrier of claim 2 whereinsaid strap further comprises adjustment means such that the strap can besized to fit the object the carrier is to be secured to.
 4. The carrierof claim 3 wherein said loop layer further comprises a storage portion.5. The carrier of claim 4 wherein the back layer further comprises aneyelet.
 6. The carrier of claim 5 wherein device to be carried is aclamshell phone with a first and second region and wherein only thesecond region is inserted into the pocket portion.
 7. The carrier ofclaim 1 wherein the retaining means includes a hook and loop assemblysuch that one portion of said hook and loop assembly is attached to saidback layer within said pocket portion and one portion is attached to aportion on the device to be retained such that when the hook and loopassembly is engaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocketportion.
 8. The carrier of claim 7 wherein the front layer includesportion with perforations for transmission of auditory signals therethrough.
 9. A personalizeable personal electronic device carriercomprising: a pocket portion that includes a front layer and a backlayer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about theiredges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into saidpocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexibletransparent material so as to allow operation of said device whenpositioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a looplayer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attachedtogether so at to create a looped portion; retaining means fixedlyattached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said devicein said carrier; strap means attachable to said carrier for securingsaid carrier to an object; and at least one jewelry attachment regionlocated about the periphery of said pocket portion for attachment ofpersonal effects to said carrier such that said carrier can bepersonalized by a user.
 10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein the strapmeans is a strap that is threaded through said looped portion.
 11. Thecarrier of claim 10 wherein said strap further comprises adjustmentmeans such that the strap can be sized to fit the object the carrier isto be secured to.
 12. The carrier of claim 11 wherein said loop layerfurther comprises a storage portion.
 13. The carrier of claim 12 whereinthe back layer further comprises an eyelet.
 14. The carrier of claim 13wherein device to be carried is a clamshell phone with a first andsecond region and wherein only the second region is inserted into thepocket portion.
 15. The carrier of claim 9 wherein the retaining meansincludes a hook and loop assembly such that one portion of said hook andloop assembly is attached to said back layer within said pocket portionand one portion is attached to a portion on the device to be retainedsuch that when the hook and loop assembly is engaged, the device isdetachably retained in said pocket portion.
 16. The carrier of claim 15wherein the front layer includes portion with perforations fortransmission of auditory signals there through.
 17. The carrier of claim16 wherein the strap means is a strap that is threaded through saidlooped portion.
 18. The carrier of claim 17 wherein said strap furthercomprises adjustment means such that the strap can be sized to fit theobject the carrier is to be secured to.
 19. The carrier of claim 18wherein said loop layer further comprises a storage portion.
 20. Apersonalizeable personal electronic device carrier comprising: a pocketportion that includes a front layer wherein the front layer includes aportion with perforations for transmission of auditory signals therethrough and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attachedtogether about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeablyinserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of aflexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said devicewhen positioned in said pocket, wherein said back layer includes a looplayer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attachedtogether so at to create a looped portion, and wherein said loop layerfurther comprises a storage portion; retaining means fixedly attachedwithin said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in saidcarrier wherein the retaining means includes a hook and loop assemblysuch that one portion of said hook and loop assembly is attached to saidback layer within said pocket portion and one portion is attached to aportion on the device to be retained such that when the hook and loopassembly is engaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocketportion; strap means attachable to said carrier for securing saidcarrier to an object wherein the strap means is a strap that is threadedthrough said looped portion, and wherein said strap further comprisesadjustment means such that the strap can be sized to fit the object thecarrier is to be secured to; and at least one jewelry attachment regionlocated about the periphery of said pocket portion for attachment ofpersonal effects to said carrier such that said carrier can bepersonalized by a user.